Container deposit scheme rejected in Tasmania after report estimates $4m cost

Dec 20, 2014

Territory container deposit scheme begins.
A report suggests a state-based recycling scheme for drink containers would cost Tasmania $4 million.
Zsuzsanna Kilian, file photo: www.sxc.hu
The Tasmanian Government has ruled out introducing a container deposit scheme for recycled drink cans and bottles.
The state’s Environment Protection Authority commissioned a consultant to look at the benefits of offering cash rewards for recycled drink containers.
The study found a state-based container deposit scheme would reduce litter but the net cost to the state would be about $4 million a year.
The cost has been described as prohibitive by the Government, particularly because the scheme would not reduce litter from cigarette butts, plastic and paper items.
The report also found Tasmania would not produce enough containers for a viable domestic recycling industry, meaning they would have to be shipped interstate for processing.
The Federal Government’s own report found a national scheme would also fail to provide net value.
Read the cost benefit report here
Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson questioned the report used by the State Government to rule out a container deposit scheme.
Senator Whish-Wilson said the report was finished in April and he accused the Government of releasing it late on Friday to avoid scrutiny.
He disputed the assertion the scheme would have no net benefit to the state.
“We have heard beverage industry lies and misinformation before that has quoted very similar costs that have proven to be wrong,” he said.
“In South Australia, this scheme is a benefit to the state and even if there was a $4 million cost and we were to accept that at its face value, it’s a small price to pay.”
Posted Sat Dec 20 10:09:50 EST 2014